Article

The US Navy christened the USNS Hector A. Cafferata Jr. (ESB 8), finalizing the Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) program at General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego.

Named after Medal of Honor recipient Hector A. Cafferata Jr., the ship is designed to support aviation mine countermeasures and special operations. It features a 784-ft hull, a 52,000-sq ft flight deck, and capabilities for command, control, and equipment staging.

The ESB program includes five previously delivered ships: USS Lewis B. Puller, USS Hershel 'Woody' Williams, USS Miguel Keith, USS John L. Canley, and USNS Robert E. Simanek.